Dartmouth students who initiate projects in the visual and performing arts are now eligible to apply for funding through the three generous programs described below.

Applications and complete guidelines for each fund are available to fill out online, download or you can get them in the offices of the Directors of the Hopkins Center, the Chairs of the Departments of Theater, Music, Studio Art, and Film & Television Studies, the Hop Ensembles Office and the Hop Student Workshops.

The Robert Dance ’77 Initiative Fund

The Robert Dance ’77 Fund enables talented Dartmouth undergraduates to undertake special projects in the arts. Preference is given to performing or visual arts projects that are “site specific works,” created for venues other than traditional galleries, theaters or auditoriums. Outdoor venues, residential spaces, and dining halls are among the sites which might be appropriate. The fund makes a total of up to $4,400 available to sponsor major student projects in the performing and visual arts. Undergraduate students and organizations are eligible to apply.

The Lazarus Family Musical Theater Fund

The Lazarus Family Musical Theater Fund supports student-initiated projects in musical theater, with a priority given to original work. Although projects need not be curricular to be considered, senior projects which bring together work in drama and music are particularly appropriate. In the absence of proposals featuring original music, lyrics and/or text by students, productions which are to be directed, choreographed and designed by students can also be considered. The fund provides a total of up to $1,900 to support student-initiated projects.

The Class of 1961 Arts Initiative Fund

Undergraduates are invited to apply for support of student enterprises in the arts. This award is funded by members of the Class of 1961 in order to enable talented Dartmouth undergraduates to undertake special projects in the arts. Particular interest will be given to those projects that “stand alone”—that is, projects that are not undertaken as senior fellowships or honors projects, or are affiliated with student organizations. The fund makes up to $1,500 available to sponsor student-initiated projects in the performing and visual arts. Application is open to single or group projects.